If you want to start and lead a successful business in the modern day, you’ll have to go online sooner or later. Whether you are a solopreneur looking to make his fortune on the web or a vast enterprise that just started spreading its wings out, establishing your online presence starts with the same step. An eCommerce website.
Ecommerce websites massively increase your marketing and selling potential because they help you easily target and reach your desired audience in multiple markets, be it international or local. Additionally, they are flexible and easy to maintain.
However, the best part about them is the fact that you don’t have to be a complete computer genius to launch a successful eCommerce website.
Here are some tips on how to start your new online store:
Choose Your Domain Name
There’s already an overabundance of eCommerce websites on the web. The best way to cut through the competition and stand out is to choose a domain name that’s catchy and memorable and has a certain “zing” to it when you pronounce it.
Implementing a key aspect of the products or services you sell is excellent for boosting your brand name. For example, the leading solution for the creation of eCommerce websites Shopify, has an almost ideal domain name, because simply by hearing it, you can instantly associate what kind of offers and products it sells. Additionally, choosing .com or .net domain name extensions will give an air of validity to your webstore. But, try to not make your domain name too long because big names are harder to remember.
Choose Your Web Hosting
Good web hosting is the cornerstone of any eCommerce website. This is quite logical. Having reliable web hosting ensures long-term safety and security when your website has thousands of daily users, sales, and transactions.
Good eCommerce web hosting offers at least 99% server uptime, allows for rapid browsing speeds and comes with several pre-packed web tools and features designed to give your online store a sturdy framework that ensures smooth operation for years come.
Cloud hosting is usually the type of web hosting most eCommerce experts prefer simply because it offers both scalability and security to your e-store.
Add SSL Certificate
To cut things short, an SSL certificate is a digital certification your business website needs in order to make online payments available. An SSL certificate enables a website to move from HTTP to HTTPS, which is a more secure web protocol that doesn’t get flagged as unsafe or dangerous by modern Internet browsers. This certificate verifies the website’s identity by containing crucial data about how, when, and to whom the website belongs, thus ensuring there’s no malicious intent.
Generally, all SSL certificates need to be created by a certified third party for a fee. Still, depending on your hosting plan, sometimes an SSL certificate is already included in the offer.
Add eCommerce Software
Ecommerce software is the backend of any online store. Generally, there are two main ways you can get it.
Purchasing an all-encompassing, all-in-one software solution that offers both the hosting and the tools needed to operate a valid online store. This enables you to get your website up and running in the shortest time with the least effort involved.
The leading all-in-one eCommerce solution is Shopify.
On the other hand, if you already have reliable web hosting but simply lack the tools needed for setting up and launching your online store, a dedicated eCommerce software that solely focuses on store management is the way to go. This software runs as a plugin into the backend of the website, allowing you creation, control, customization, and management over any element of your website. It’s a good fit for anyone who knows a thing or two about running and managing a website and likes tinkering with code.
The most popular dedicated eCommerce platform is Woocommerce.
Add A Payment Service Provider
Payment is the most crucial step for an eCommerce website. A store is not a store if it can’t make or process payments. It’s rare for an eCommerce software not natively to support payment options. This is a case when all-in-one eCommerce solutions hold an advantage.
The more payment options you add, the better. Having more payment options allows for more sales to happen and simultaneously increases customer trust. Moreover, it streamlines the whole purchasing experience, thus creating repeat customers in the long run.
Most merchant services offer smooth and easy integration with your eCommerce software.
According to Forbes, some of the most popular merchant services are:
● Square
● Stripe
● PayPal
● Stax
These are the primary step you need to take to have a great eCommerce website. Now, for the final step, if you want to make your business idea a profitable reality, you should research, market, advertise, and be mindful of the latest trends in the economy.
